Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri admits Tiago was a second-choice signing after failing to agree terms with Liverpool for Momo Sissoko in the summer.
"We were thrown into buying him when we were told that we would have to spend £23m on Mohamed Sissoko," the Juve boss surprisingly declared.
"I brought him on against Atalanta to hold up the ball and he did well.
"I want both Tiago and Sergio Almiron, nobody is left out in the cold, but Antonio Nocerino and Cristiano Zanetti are playing very well and I play whoever gives me the best chance of winning."